An Internet forum, used to tell the "real stories of people affected by Eskom's rolling blackouts", is going to put pressure on the government utility to fix the problems, says Solidarity.
The trade union launched Eskom Stories on Friday. "The irony is that it went down almost immediately, because of load-shedding," says Solidarity deputy general-secretary Dirk Hermann.
However, Hermann says, despite load-shedding, over 500 people had managed to post gripes against Eskom on the site between 8am and 10am today.
"We believe that Eskom can't understand the effect these power-cuts are having on people. Large studies about the economy mean nothing, it's the people who are being affected."
The site has been created to supply a more direct link between the man-on-the-street, government and Eskom. "The more you filter into the average person, the more powerful your campaign can be. This will help demand accountability from Eskom."
Solidarity has appealed to businesses, individuals, hospitals, community organisations and other stakeholders to actively participate in the Eskom Web hearing, notes Hermann.
"We want to hear about damages caused by defrosting refrigerators; accidents caused by out-of-action traffic lights; time lost in traffic snarl-ups. Businesses must relate their production losses; the cost of generators; damage to equipment and all other losses."
The union has also called on Eskom employees to submit stories. "They are the victims of bad strategic decisions," states Hermann. All contributors' stories will be collated and handed to Eskom and government.
Solidarity says SA has to create more generating capacity in the long-term, which is expected to take up to 12 years. "In the meantime, we are convinced that Eskom is capable of supplying for short-term needs, provided that maintenance and skills problems are resolved."
Public pressure on Eskom will help in this regard, says Hermann. "All voices must be heard, and the Web hearings provide a perfect platform. The hearings are not intended to undermine Eskom, but to drive home to the electricity supplier the full extent of the problem."
Hermann says the second phase of the Web site will go live in the next few days. "This is where people will be able to read each other's stories and posts about the blackouts."
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